Electra Battery Materials will use the funds to build its cobalt sufate refinery in Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, which will be the first of its kind in North America. The funds are part of a broader effort to strengthen North America's critical mineral supply chain, specifically focusing on cobalt sulfate production.

Stagecoach told Truck & Bus Builder that the 715 buses come from a range of different suppliers, including: Alexander Dennis; Wrightbus; Pelican Yutong; and Volvo Buses.

Incentives include tax exemptions of between two and eight years, financial support and streamlined regulations (with other nations).

The state government of Western Australia, together with the federal government, is committing AUD125m towards the manufacture of buses on the BZL Electric chassis in Perth.

The EV & Future Mobility Park is being created on 300 acres in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri District.

The funding will cover both the purchase of electric buses and the installation of necessary charging infrastructure. Each school bus can receive up to USD 470,000 in grants, which includes up to USD 95,000 for charging infrastructure.

The proof-of-concept vehicle was assembled, deployed and tested at the MIRA Technology Park in Nuneaton, UK. The prototype is expected to be tested by operators and OEMs during the rest of 2024.

Grants totalling USD1.7bn will be made available to support as many as eleven closed or at-risk automotive manufacturing and assembly facilities in switching to the production of electric vehicles and components.

Eight operators will benefit from the success of a bid made by charging-as-a-service firm Zenobē, including major fleets such as Stagecoach and McGill’s Buses.

The orders came from Stagecoach Group and FirstGroup which has placed the largest single order (169 units) for Yutong electric buses in the UK to date.

This will create a network of green hydrogen production facilities for various purposes (international shipping, trucking etc). This aligns with California’s plans to cut CO2 emissions by two million tonnes annually and reach carbon neutrality by 2045.

Electra Battery Materials will use the funds to demonstrate the scalability of its hydrometallurgical black mass process, which produces recycled nickel, cobalt and lithium which can then be reused in the production of new products. This will help make the Canadian EV supply chain more sustainable, relying on fewer precious metals used in EV batteries.